U.S. patent application number 09/745082 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-12 for geared motor, specifically a geared wiper motor for a vehicle.
Invention is credited to Ade, Rolf, Walther, Bernd.
Application Number | 20010007401 09/745082 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7934612 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010007401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walther, Bernd ; et
al. |
July 12, 2001 |
Geared motor, specifically a geared wiper motor for a vehicle
Abstract
The invention proceeds from a geared motor, specifically a
windshield wiper motor for a vehicle, with an electric motor
enclosed by a motor housing, with a gear located on the drive shaft
of the electric motor enclosed by a gear housing and with a brush
mounting plate to hold brushes, where there is at least one ground
brush connected to ground. The invention is characterized by the
presence of a connector element at the brush mounting plate, which
has at least one brush locator to accept an electrical connection
with the ground brush and at least one ground locator to accept an
element connected to ground.
Inventors: |
Walther, Bernd;
(Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE) ; Ade, Rolf;
(Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Andrew R. Basile
Young & Basile, P.C.
Suite 624
3001 West Big Beaver Road
Troy
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
7934612 |
Appl. No.: |
09/745082 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
310/71 ;
310/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 1/166 20130101;
H02K 5/225 20130101; H02K 2211/03 20130101; H02K 7/1166 20130101;
H02K 5/10 20130101; H02K 11/40 20160101; H02K 5/148 20130101; H02K
11/026 20130101; H02K 23/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/71 ;
310/219 |
International
Class: |
H02K 011/00; H02K
013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 1999 |
DE |
199 63 158.1 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. geared motor (1), in particular a geared windshield wiper motor
for a vehicle, with an electric motor enclosed by a motor housing
(2) with a gear located at the drive shaft of the electric motor
enclosed by a gear housing (3) and with a brush mounting plate (14)
to locate brushes (19, 20), where there is at least one ground
brush (19) connected to ground, characterized in that there is one
connector element (24) on the brush mounting plate (14), which has
at least one brush locator (27) to accommodate an electrical
connection (28) to the ground brush (19) and at least one ground
locator (29) to accommodate an element connected to ground
(29).
2. Geared motor (1) under claim 1, characterized in that the brush
mounting plate (14) has a connector opening (32) and that the
connector element (24) extends partially through the connector
opening, where the brush locator (27) is positioned on the side of
the brush mounting plate (14) facing the brushes (19, 20) and the
ground locator (29) is positioned on the side of the brush mounting
plate (14) facing away from the brushes (19, 20).
3. Geared motor (1) under claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
ground locator (29) is detachably connected directly with the gear
housing (3) which is grounded.
4. Geared motor (1) under claim 3, characterized in that the ground
locator (29) holds a plug connector injection-molded to the gear
housing (3).
5. Geared motor (1) under claim 4, characterized in that the ground
locator (29) is shaped like jaws with two flexible tangs (35) to
hold the plug connector (34).
6. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the connector element (24) is clamped to the
brush mounting plate (14).
7. Geared motor (1) under claim 7, characterized in that the
connector element (24) has provision for at least one protruding
tab (36) to make the clamped retention.
8. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the brush locator (27) accommodates the
contact for an additional component, specifically a thermoswitch
element (31), which is electrically connected to the ground brush
(19).
9. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the brush locator (27) is welded or soldered
to the electrical connection (28) of the ground brush (19) and/or
to the contact (33) of the additional component (31).
10. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the connector element is manufactured from
sheet metal.
11. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the brush mounting plate (14) is clamped
between the gear housing (3) and the motor housing (2).
12. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that between the brush mounting plate (14) and the
motor housing (2) a seal is present, between which and the gear
housing (3) or the motor housing (2) the brush mounting plate (14)
is clamped.
13. Geared motor (1) under one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the brush holder plate (14) is made of
impregnated paper.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention concerns a geared motor, specifically a geared
wiper motor for a vehicle, with an electric motor enclosed by a
housing, with a gear located at the drive shaft of the electric
motor enclosed by a gear housing, and with a brush mounting plate
to hold brushes, where at least one ground brush connected to
ground is present.
[0002] With geared motors of this type, the brushes are mounted on
the brush mounting plate in such a way that the brushes ride on the
outer edge of a current transformer in the electric motor. The
ground brush is clinched with the grounded gear housing by means of
a wire lead crimped into the gear housing. There can also be
provision for clamping a plate connected to ground between the
motor housing and the gear housing, where the ground brush is
electrically connected with the ground plate.
[0003] A disadvantage of the present art is that crimping the wires
in the gear housing or clamping the ground plate between the motor
housing and the gear housing is not suited to mass production and
results in an assembly that is not process-controlled.
[0004] The task on which the present invention is based is to
develop a geared motor in which the connection between the ground
brush and a grounded element is implemented with minimum
manufacturing and assembly effort in a way that provides process
control and functional reliability.
SUMMARY
[0005] This task is solved in the case of a geared motor [of the
type named at the beginning under the invention] by providing a
connector element at the brush mounting plate, which has at least
one brush locator to receive an electrical connection to the ground
brush and at least one ground locator to receive an element
connected to ground. The advantage of the invention is that
crimping the wires in the gear housing connected to the ground
brushes is dispensed with. In addition, a ground plate between the
motor housing and the gear housing is not necessary. By using the
connector element at the brush mounting plate, an achievement of
the invention is that, firstly, an electrical connection with the
ground brush can be implemented at the brush locator. Secondly, the
ground locator is connected to a grounded element, thereby also
connecting the ground brush to ground. In the assembly of a geared
motor of this type, for example, the brush mounting plate is
pre-assembled with the individual brushes and the connector element
in pre-assembly. In a second assembly step, the brush mounting
plate is installed into the geared motor, where only the ground
locator of the connector element has to be attached or connected to
a grounded element in order to ground the ground brush.
[0006] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is
characterized by the brush mounting plate having a connector
opening and the connector extending partially through the connector
opening, where the brush locator is positioned on the side of the
brush mounting plate facing towards the brushes, and the ground
locator is positioned on the side of the brush mounting plate
facing away from the brushes. This has the advantage of achieving a
spatial separation of the ground locator from the brushes through
the brush mounting plate. This can prevent mutually induced
malfunctions, of the brushes on the one hand and of the ground
locator on the other, or of the grounded element which is retained
by the ground locator.
[0007] An advantage is that provision can also be made to provide a
direct, separable attachment of the ground locator to the grounded
gear housing. The geared motor can then be removed without
difficulty, particularly in the event of damage. In addition, this
dispenses with a part to join the ground locator to the gear
housing, which can save costs.
[0008] Provision can also be made for the ground locator to
accommodate a plug connector which is injection-molded to the gear
housing. By means of a positive molded connector of this type, a
connection between the plug connector and the gear housing can be
insured that is process-controlled and functionally reliable.
[0009] A further development of the invention provides for the
ground locator to be jaw-shaped with two flexible tangs to hold the
plug connector. A positive connection is achieved between the
ground locator and the plug connector by using tangs of this type.
Specifically, guide sections can be provided on the ground locator
and/or the plug connector, which permit a better, specifically a
detachable push-fit of the ground locator onto the plug connector.
Volume production can be carried out with process control and
functional reliability.
[0010] In one variation of the invention, provision is made for the
connector element to be clamp-mounted to the brush mounting plate.
A clamp mount has the advantage that bolts, rivets, adhesives and
similar materials are not needed to attach the connector element to
the brush mounting plate. Elaborate crimping tools for crimping the
connector element to the brush mounting plate can be dispensed
with.
[0011] Furthermore, there is an advantage when provision can be
made for the connector element to have at least one protruding tab
in the center area for the clamp retainer. The connector element
can be clamped positively to the brush mounting plate by means of a
tab of this type.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the brush locator
positions the contact of an additional component, specifically a
thermoswitch element, which is electrically connected with the
ground brush. The ground brush is therefore not grounded directly,
but indirectly through the thermoswitch element.
[0013] Another embodiment of the invention provides for the brush
locator to be welded or soldered to the electrical connection for
the ground brush and/or to the contact for the additional
component. By means of this type of welding or soldering, a
permanent connection is made between the brush locator and the
ground brush, or the additional component, respectively, in a
simple and economical way.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector
element is manufactured from sheet metal. Through appropriate
handling and bending of the sheet metal, a connector element with
the desired properties can be realized with a relatively low cost
outlay.
[0015] In another further development of the invention, the brush
mounting plate is retained by being clamped between the gear
housing and the motor housing. The advantage is that no additional
fasteners, such as rivets or bolts, for example, are required to
attach the brush mounting plate. Clinching the brush mounting plate
to the gear or motor housing can also be dispensed with.
Specifically, in order to achieve a weight reduction in the gear
housing, the gear and/or motor housings can be made from magnesium
or aluminum. Clinching the brush mounting plates to housings of
this type is, besides, not process-controlled. With a clamped mount
of this type for the brush mounting plate, the brush mounting plate
is installed between the gear housing and the motor housing during
assembly. As part of the invention, provision can be made that with
installation of this type, the ground locator of the connector
element is guided into the connector molded onto the gear housing,
for example. Assembly of this type is practicable with minimum
assembly cost.
[0016] Further, it is advantageous to have a seal ring between the
brush mounting plate and the motor housing, where the brush
mounting plate is clamped between the seal ring and the gear
housing or the motor housing. The installation of a seal ring of
this kind has the advantage that firstly, the motor housing to gear
housing interface is sealed against external environmental factors
and secondly, that clamping forces affecting the brush mounting
plate are evenly distributed.
[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the
brush holder plate is made of impregnated paper. Impregnated paper
has proven to be particularly advantageous in practice for brush
holder plates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Additional/further advantageous embodiments and details of
the invention can be found in the following description, in which
the invention is described in greater detail and explained from the
working example in the drawing.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive geared wiper
motor for a vehicle;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side of the gear housing
of the gear motor shown in FIG. 1 facing the motor housing;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slightly different
configuration of the gear housing shown in FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectioned, perspective view of
the gear housing of the geared motor of FIG. 3; and
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of a connector
element in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The geared motor 1 of a wiper system for vehicles shown in
FIG. 1 has an electric motor enclosed by a motor housing 2 and a
gear located at the drive shaft of the electric motor, enclosed by
a gear housing 3. The geared motor 1 has a crank 5 at the drive
shaft 4 with a ball and socket joint; the crank 5 is designed to
drive a wiper linkage which can be attached to the ball and socket
joint, or to drive a wiper installation for wiping automobile
windshields.
[0025] FIG. 1 also shows a tubular mount 7, to which the geared
motor 1 is attached by means of a clamping plate 8. The mount 7 can
be attached, for example, in a fixed position on the vehicle body.
The clamping plate 8 is fastened to the gear housing 3 by means of
four bolts 10. To provide additional support to the gear motor 1,
an opening 9 is provided, into which, for example, a fixed bolt
mounted to the vehicle can be inserted. The motor housing 2 is
attached by means of two rivets 12 to the gear housing 3.
[0026] In FIG. 2 the section of the barrel-shaped gear housing 3
which faces the motor housing is shown. There are two openings 13
on the gear housing 3 to receive the rivets 12 shown in FIG. 1. In
addition, a brush mounting plate 14 is shown, which is installed
into the open end of the barrel-shaped gear housing 3. To do this,
the brush holder plate 14 has three rectangular lugs 17 on the side
facing the gear housing 3, which are inserted into the notches 18
located on the gear housing 3. The notches match the lugs 17 in
shape and size, so that the lugs 17 for the most part fill the
notches 18 and for the most part fit flush with the surface of the
gear housing 3.
[0027] A ground brush 19 and two carbon brushes 20, which are
connected to a higher electrical potential, are mounted in suitable
holders 22 on the brush mounting plate 14, which is preferably made
from impregnated paper. In addition, two suppression coils 23 are
located above the two carbon brushes 20 to suppress interference
from the two carbon brushes 20.
[0028] The brush mounting plate 14 in this case is circular, where
the brush mounting plate 14 largely matches the cross section of
the barrel-shaped gear housing 3. With the geared motor in its
assembled state, it is intended that the current transformer for
the electric motor extends through the brush mounting plate 14, so
that the ground brush 19 and the two carbon brushes 20 ride on the
outer edge of the current transformer.
[0029] In FIG. 2 it can also be clearly seen that there is a lip 15
on the open side of the barrel-shaped housing 3, facing towards the
motor housing 2. In the area where the notches 18 are located, the
lip 15 has openings, through which it is possible to install the
brush mounting plate 14 or the lugs 17 of the brush mounting plate
14 respectively into the notches 18. The primary function of lip 15
is to install the electric motor with the motor housing 2 onto the
gear housing 3 without damaging components during assembly and to
achieve functional reliability.
[0030] With the geared motor 1 in its assembled state, in which the
electric motor with the motor housing 2 is attached to the gear
housing by means of the rivets 12, the brush mounting plate 14 is
clamped between the motor housing 2 and the gear housing 3. With
this configuration, there can be a provision for installing a seal
ring between the gear housing 3 and the motor housing 2, located on
the side of the circumferential lip away from the brushes 19 and
20.
[0031] As can be clearly seen from FIG. 2, there is a connector
element 24 on the brush mounting plate 14, which has a brush
locator 27 to retain an electrical connection 28 with the ground
brush 19. In addition, the connector element 24 has a ground
locator 29, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which is intended to retain an
element connected to ground.
[0032] In order to locate the connector element 24 on the brush
mounting plate 14, the brush mounting plate 14 has a connector
opening 32. The connector element 24 extends partially through the
opening 32, an arrangement in which the brush locator 27 is
positioned on the side of the brush mounting plate 14 facing toward
the brushes 19 and 20, and the ground locator 29 is positioned on
the side of the brush mounting plate 14 facing away from the
brushes 19 and 20, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0033] In FIG. 3, which largely corresponds to FIG. 2, the
electrical connection 28 for the ground brush 19 is not connected
directly to the brush locator 27 of the connector element 24.
Instead, an additional component, specifically a thermoswitch
element 31, is located on the brush mounting plate 14, where the
brush locator 27 makes the contact 33 to the thermoswitch element.
The ground brush 19 is connected to ground through an electrical
connection 30 and the thermoswitch element 31. In this
configuration, provision can be made for the brush locating element
27 to be welded or soldered to the electrical connection 28 of the
ground brush 19, as shown in FIG. 2, or to contact 33 of the
thermoswitch element 31.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a partial section through the gear housing
shown in FIG. 3 with the brush mounting plate 14. It can be clearly
seen that the ground locator 29 of the connector element 24 is
attached directly to the gear housing 3, but is separable
therefrom. The gear housing 3 has an injection molded plug
connector 34, which is located by the ground locator 29. The ground
locator 29, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 5 also, has a
jaw-like design, with two flexible tangs 35 to locate the plug
connector 34.
[0035] To assemble the geared motor 1, the brush mounting plate 14
is installed into the barrel-shaped opening of the gear housing 3.
The jaw-shaped locator 29 positions the plug connector 34, which is
gripped on the side facing the brush mounting plate 14 for better
retention of the locator. With the installation of the brush
mounting plate 14, the connection is made between the ground brush
19 and the gear housing 3 which is connected to ground.
[0036] To retain the connector element 24 to the brush mounting
plate 14, the connector element 24 has two protruding tabs 36 in
the center area, which can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 5.
To assemble the connector element 24, the brush mounting plate 14
has slots 37, through which the tabs 36, which prior to assembly of
the connector element 24 are not perpendicular to but lengthwise
along the connector element, are inserted. In a subsequent assembly
step, the tabs 36 are bent over, whereby the connector 24 is
clamped to the brush retainer plate 14.
[0037] From FIG. 5 it is clear how the connector element 24 is
constructed. A section 38 with a rectangular shape 29 is attached
to the jaw-shaped ground locator 29 which has the two tangs 35. The
tabs 36 and the brush locator 27 are located on the face of this
section 38 that is facing away from the tangs 35. The brush locator
27 has a total of three segments 39, two of which segments 39 lie
in one plane and the third segment 39 is located parallel to the
first two segments 39. All the segments 39 have flared end sections
40 to make installation of the electrical connection 28 or the
contact 33 for the thermoswitch element 31 easier. The advantage is
that by designing the connector element 24 in this way, the
connector element can be made from sheet metal by means of suitable
bending.
[0038] All the properties presented in the description, the
following claims and the drawing can be essential to the invention
both individually, as well as in any combination.
* * * * *